By Saranga Thakur das
Following in the footsteps of His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada, who was challenged by a local government authority to preach Bhagavad Gita to the inmates of Tihar prision in Delhi in 1962 and turn them into ideal characters, Madan Mohan das, ACBSP and Saranga Thakur das, ACBSP have been carrying on a lively program at the Raiford State prison. The program was pioneered by Krsna Kesava das, Kaliyaphani das and Akuti devi dasi, five years ago, and has carried on continuously.
Saranga Thakura prabhu describes the program as follows. We go through three sliding doors (vertical bars) and two locked gates to enter the reception area. When we get to the classroom building, we have to ask the guard in the control room to announce the “Hare Krishna Class” so all the different areas get notified. There are often new guards there and it can take a few times before they pronounce the Holy Names properly. The guard then announces to all the guards in all the cell blocks that the Hare Krishna Class is starting. These guards then broadcast it over their PA systems to all the inmates.
Hundreds of inmates walking by in lines see us chanting and dancing through the windows of our classroom. The class is very interactive. Everyone shares the reading of the verses and purports in the Bhagavad-gita, and they can ask questions or share realizations at any time. This format developed naturally. It’s really engaging, keeping us on our toes, balancing speaking with listening. We come with a basic plan for the class, but we want to follow what Krishna arranges. We try to deliver Krishna consciousness in a manner that is personal and respecting of their dignity, which is a rare thing in their environment.
One of our student writes: “My entire experience with Krishna consciousness has been as an incarcerated person. We are most fortunate to be blessed with Krishna’s mercy, Prabhupada’s love and the world of devotees that Prabhupada sent to us.”
Another student states that “because of these teachings (which he has developed a passion for) I am able to perceive life in a different way. I am able to see myself by way of spiritual knowledge as spirit soul…. Now that I am hearing about Krishna consciousness I want to know more. Everyone is looking for Krishna. I believe that Krishna is always in control and He has my best interest at heart”. If we get to know Krishna, become His devotee, worship Him, and offer our homage unto Him – we will always be in a state of Krishna consciousness, a surrendered soul”.
The student group has really developed an openness to hear and study with us and to share their own realizations, despite their different backgrounds. We can see over time they have been developing qualities more conducive to devotional life, like tolerance, faith, spiritual vision and humility. The effect of our consistent presence has touched the whole prison in different ways.
Now we are the official representative of the Hindu faith. Sometimes we get an opportunity to explain things to the guards and chaplains reassuring them that we worship the same one Supreme Lord that they do. And the two Chaplains seem to be more helpful and friendly.
The guards and the officers know us as the Hare Krishna people of ISKCON. Sometimes they return our greeting of “Hare Krishna”. One Sergeant who has a tough exterior, called out “Hare Krishna” to us from behind the bars of his office. He was holding on to the bars as if he was the one confined. We made a little comment to him about it, that he was actually free, and then he asked for a cookie (we told him that we’re not allowed to bring them in). But he’s familiar with our Prasad distribution from the University of Florida.
Generally speaking the many inmates we pass on the way to class will share a friendly greeting with us, or call out “Hare Krishna”. We’ve had a few who wanted to walk with us and get some counseling. It takes about five minutes to get to our classroom, through the halls and the yard outside, and there the inmates also greet us with “Hare Krishna”.
The inmates who assist the Chaplains really extend themselves to help us. They were very eager to put up the 18 posters we have to advertise the movie “Hare Krishna! the mantra, the movement and the Swami that started it all” that we’re showing at the prison on December 9th. At first the Chaplain seemed reluctant to allow us to show the movie, but with a letter from Yadubara and the years of goodwill we’ve developed, he agreed. His staff have offered advertising and technical help including spreading our posters around to all the buildings and even allowing the movie to be shown to the 200 guys on death row. And excitement is building around the showing of the movie. One of the students was concerned that the posters aren’t up yet so he made some of his own, just to make sure it was sufficiently advertised.
Their religious library for faiths other than Christianity has a full set of Srila Prabhupada’s books now. The librarian said they now have a reference computer, and he would like to install the Vedabase on it. We can bring 12 devotees for kirtan on the day of the film showing.. If you’d like to come please see see Madan Mohan dasa or Sarnga Thakur dasa.
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